In an intriguing move during the NHL Draft, the St. Louis Blues, under the guidance of General Manager Doug Armstrong, decided to shake things up by selecting a goalie with their second pick of the fourth round.
This wasn't just any goalie, though. They snagged Vladimir Proskurin, a promising Russian prospect from the MHL, who boasted an impressive .921 save percentage over 42 starts last season.
Drafted at No. 123, Proskurin comes from MHK Atlant Mytishchi, where he turned heads with his performance despite a challenging 14-21-1 record.
He managed to notch two shutouts in what was his first full campaign with the club. Looking ahead, Proskurin is expected to continue developing his skills with another season at MHK Atlant Mytishchi in 2026-27.
The Blues announced Proskurin's selection with enthusiasm, adding him to their growing roster of promising goaltenders. As the team looks toward the future, the current pecking order sees Jordan Binnington likely stepping into a backup role behind Joel Hofer next season. However, once the dust settles on the 2026-27 season, the competition to secure a spot in "The Show" will intensify.
Proskurin finds himself at the start of this journey, with several talented goalies in line ahead of him. Names like Will Cranley, Vadim Zherenko, Georgii Romanov, and Love Harenstam are all vying for their chance to shine. If Proskurin can maintain his MHL-level performance and successfully transition to the more competitive KHL in Russia, his path to Springfield and beyond could become significantly clearer.
This strategic pick, alongside the Carlo trade and the additions of Luke Scherier and Landon Nycz earlier in the draft, demonstrates the Blues' commitment to building a robust pipeline of talent for the future. The team is clearly playing the long game, and Proskurin could be a key piece in their evolving puzzle.
In Other News...
Blues Fans May Not Agree On This Tarasenko Reunion
Vladimir Tarasenkos name is back in the mix around St. Louis as the Blues look ahead to July 1 and the start of free agency. After a productive season in Minnesota that reminded everyone he can still help offensively, the former Blues winger is drawing some attention as a possible low-cost addition for a club that knows him well and is now operating under incoming general manager Alexander Steen.
The fit is obvious on one level, but the timing and roster math matter just as much. St. Louis is working with limited cap space and still has other restricted free agents to sort out, so any Tarasenko reunion would have to be weighed against a lot of competing priorities. No decision has been made yet, which is why this one feels like the kind of conversation that could split the fan base long before it reaches the front office. [Read more 🡒]